• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

NGC Journals

Kamakazy

1909 VDB 1C Doubled Die Obverse, FS-1101, MS65 Red PCGS.

1909 VDB 1C Doubled Die Obverse, FS-1101, MS65 Red PCGS. Doubling is evident on the RTY of LIBERTY and on all date digits, with the secondary image east of the primary. Housed in a PCGS 30th Anniversary holder. Blazing orange-gold luster adorns this popular Gem. All design elements are sharply impressed. Devoid of mentionable marks or spots. The Cherrypickers' Guide notes that: "Values have more than doubled in recent years."
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

1
Kamakazy

1805 $5 BD-1, High R.3, MS61 PCGS OGH

Still updating the registry and sharing the rarer specimens. 1805 Five Dollar, BD-1, MS61 Pinpoint-Sharp Strike 1805 $5 BD-1, High R.3, MS61 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a, without a vertical die crack through the 0 in the date. The left foot of the 1 is intact -- an obvious die marker for the most collectible variety among 1805 half eagles. According to Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, possibly more than 200 coins survive. Of those, a small fraction are known in Mint State. Both
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

0
The Roman Empire

NGC Registry Awards

I wanted to send out a particular congratulations to rmw, jackson64, and gherrmann44 for distinction on their excellent Collectors' Journals!   Regarding this Journal Entry, I am pleased to see my own Roman Empire collection receive a second-time Best Ancients Set (my previous accolade was in 2014, so this ends a bit of a "dry spell" for me!).  I wonder about what it would take to be acknowledged as Most Informative or Most Creative NGC Custom Set, and I always find myself amazed when
Kohaku

Kohaku

4
Kamakazy

1884 PF 66 UCAM $5 Coronet

2017 was a banner year for my registry with some of the finest examples know being acquired.  Couldn’t resist the Florida Auction and acquired this unbelivable specimen tonight as well as three others. This will go into the vault and will not be seen again by the public for 3 generations.  Rick, if you want to see it, we can make arrangements.   This piece surfaced in public auctions a decade ago with no accurately traceable pedigree. NGC lists a numerically equal non-Cameo proof,
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

3
Kamakazy

1897 $2.5 PF 65 UCAM CAC

1897 Two and a Half, PR65 Ultra Cameo Starkly Contrasted and Rare 1897 $2 1/2 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC. CAC. Ultra Cameo proof 1897 quarter eagles are widely scattered across the numeric grade spectrum, but this Superb Gem is nonetheless high-end for the issue. Only 136 pieces were struck, and likely fewer than 100 are known to survive. Certified population reports are unreliable due to resubmissions; currently, NGC and PCGS combined report 151 grading events -- far surpassing the number proofs actu
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

0
Kamakazy

1836 PG $1 PF 66 Cap & Rays Original Strike CAC

As Rick would say, “I think you went a little nuts!”.   1836 PG$1 Gold Dollar, Judd-67, Pollock-70, R.5, PR66 PCGS. CAC. Christian Gobrecht both designed and engraved the dies for this gold dollar pattern. The influence of Mexican coinage is clearly seen on the obverse design showing a Liberty cap surrounded by rays of glory. The reverse features the denomination 1 D. within a coiled palm frond, with the date below and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above. Struck in coin gold with a 10% copper al
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

1
Kamakazy

1803/2 - $5 Draped Bust MS 61

1803/2 $5 BD-2, R.5, MS61 NGC. Bass-Dannreuther Die State d/c. This late die state shows a bisecting crack on the reverse from the U in UNITED, through the eagle's beak, to the E in STATES. Light field chatter slightly subdues semiprooflike mirroring, but no major abrasions are noticed. The left side of the shield and the eagle's left (facing) talons exhibit strike weakness. On the obverse, bold strike doubling is visible on all relief elements. BD-2 is the rarest of the 1803 half eagle die vari
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

0
Kamakazy

1888-O VAM 1B Scarface Small Die Crack

Ron Guth: The 1888-O VAM 1B "Scarface" variety is one of the most obvious, desirable, and valuable of all Morgan Dollar varieties.  There was not question that this would be (and is) a Top 100 variety.  However, there is a caveat that accompanies this variety.  The "Scarface" is a late to terminal state of a die crack that begins at the dot separating the E from PLURIBUS and grows to include Liberty's face from her nose to the lower hair curls.  The value of the "Scarface" variety is dependent o
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

0
Kamakazy

1891 $2.5 PF 64 UCAM

Only 80 Proofs Struck Rare in All Grades - 1891 $2 1/2 PR64 Ultra Cameo NGC. Characteristics of this proof die pair include bold die doubling of AMERICA (different than the FS-801 circulation strike doubling) and re-punching of the 891 in the date. Mint records indicate that 80 proof 1891 quarter eagles were struck, although likely only about half or slightly less survive today in all grades. HA previously handled only four Ultra/Deep Cameo examples. This Choice Ultra Cameo is fully struck and s
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

0
Kamakazy

1882 CC MS 60 Double Eagle 1-B

Of course, I had to pick up the sister to the 1-A 1882-CC $20 MS60 NGC. Variety 1-B. In 1882, coining and refining operations at the Carson City Mint increased over previous years. Double eagles, not struck at the Nevada branch mint since 1879, were struck to the extent of 39,140 pieces. The Carson City Mint was of advantage to miners and mine owners as a convenient place to deposit their gold in exchange for coins or bars. Double eagles that did not circulate locally were eventually export
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

0
Kamakazy

1882 CC MS 61 Double Eagle Variety 1A

I love this recent acquisition. 1882-CC $20 MS61 NGC. Variety 1-A. The second C in the mintmark is positioned lower than the first, distinguishing this variety from the other die marriage used to strike 39,140 double eagles in 1882. Both variants share a common obverse with a diagnostic vertical die gouge in front of Liberty's eye. The 1882-CC is a very scarce issue across all Uncirculated grade levels and becomes rare in MS62. Only a couple of coins are known to survive in MS63, about 15 g
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

0
Kamakazy

1895 MS 65 Double Eagle Top Pop - Finest known (tied)

Another recent addition. 1895 $20 MS65 NGC. R 9.8 Uncirculated 1895 double eagles are plentiful through MS64, but at the Gem level this Philadelphia issue is suddenly very rare. The entire NGC and PCGS population is only 15 coins in MS65, with none finer (10/17). In his 1982 Analysis of Auction Records, Volume VI, David Akers considered the 1895 "rather scarce" in true Gem condition. Since the advent of third party grading and a few more decades of auction data, Akers' estimate has been pro
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

0
Which way to go??

THAT PHONE CALL

I guess that sometime everyone gets the "dreaded" phone call in life.  Whether it is being notifyied of a family member death or failing health.  This time it is my turn.  Failing health and serious problem has made it's way to myself.  I am having to start selling and don't really know how to approach it.  I think there are members here that work for auction firms and people who sell online alot.  If anyone could contact me about advice or people to contact I would appreciate it.  If you are lo
RMK-Collectibles

RMK-Collectibles

4
My World Crown Affair

2016 Journal Award Icon

I don't know why it took an entire year to finally create the 2016 journal award icon, that now only appears on your profile page, but lo and behold it finally showed up to replace the broken link icon that I have gotten used to staring at.
jgenn

jgenn

8
An Improbable Overdate

Ecuadorian Trial Coin Dated 1832

Ecuadorian Trial Coin Dated 1832 Many know that when Ecuador's mint began to operate, it was given the task of revaluing or demonetizing base metal coins, most of them denominated in Reales and minted in Popayan, Colombia. It is common knowledge that in Quito the clandestine manufacture of counterfeit coins of base metal or low silver content was widespread in the early days of the republic.  This clandestine manufacture of spurious coins proliferated between 1828 and 1831; this
nicecoinsec

nicecoinsec

2
The Roman Empire

Update on The Roman Empire, Page 4 = SUCCESSION

The latest update to this page is that I finally finished up and posted my Owner's Comments regarding my ancient bronze "half unit" struck by Herod Antipas.   As is the case with many ancient rulers, Antipas' legacy is quite complex and open to interpretation, even to the extremes of villain or victim.   If anyone is interest in learning more, I encourage you to check out my Owners Comments. I have only two more coins to procure (Nero Claudius Drusus and Tiberius) and one more Owner's
Kohaku

Kohaku

2
jackson64's Journal

Four Nice Pick-ups in one Shot

I've been so busy lately with work, family, yard work and pre-Christmas activities I've barely had any time for hobbies. Even after I made a purchase last Sunday evening it took me 3 days before I even had time to swing by the post office box and pick up my new additions-- and this was because I had gifts for family out-of-state to mail. I've gotten into replacing some slots in my Washington album with mint state coins if the price is right and I found a nice 4-coin lot of all MS64 PCGS coi
jackson64

jackson64

3
Augustus

Mintage=800 Rare Gold Coins

Canadian Masterpiece Set 015    Ultra Rare Gold Coin ShowpiecesThis gold fractional set was released by the RCM in 2004 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the release of the gold maple. The fractional set contains one of each of the following: A gold 50c, $1, $5, $10, $20 and $50 core surrounded by a silver outer ring (6 coins total). The 50 cent gold coin is the first 1/25 oz coin produced by the RCM. Each coin is marked with a 1979-2004 privy. Total gold weight of this set is 1.94
Augustus 70

Augustus 70

2
CoinsbyGary

A Golden Opportunity

Over the last several years I have been feverishly working to upgrade the gold coins in my collection since the spot price of gold has fallen from its peak valuation in the fall of 2011.   In the last two years or so I have been able to upgrade several of the MS-62 and lower graded gold coins in my collection to 63 and 64. To date, I have been happy with the quality of the MS-63 and 64 gold coins I bought and I consider them to be the final upgrades for my gold type set. With the spot
coinsbygary

coinsbygary

1
jackson64's Journal

Numismatic Displays

Along with the random silver trays of coins, I have also used numismatics to inspire some release of my limited artistic expression. About 3 years ago I did an ink and watercolor drawing of a 1933 St Gauden's. If you look closely you can see quite a few little errors in the design but overall I think it turned out well since I usually use oils for the few paintings I've done. Also when I was hunting for bear coins for my granddaughters Bear-themed custom set I came across these beautif
jackson64

jackson64

5
jackson64's Journal

A Fortuitous and Artistic Side Effect

I have had several of these old silver trays and bowls on shelves in my office for years. At various times I have displayed them as a sort of artistic presentation filled with world coins, Ike dollars, Sacagaweas and classic coin mixes. My granddaughter loves to rummage through the world coin tray with its strange coins of odd shapes, holed coins, different metals and strange writing. It can be quite educational for her when she selects one that has caught her eye and asks about it. I use my Kra
jackson64

jackson64

3